The characteristic of Beijing opera is that it does not copy the original appearance in life, which can also be seen from the clothes worn by the actors. The costumes on the stage of Beijing opera have no distinction between seasons and dynasties, and of course there is nothing to be found. Usually, what we call "costumes" are mostly based on the costumes of the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties, and sometimes we can see the scene of "gathering" in the dynasties, but they are mainly designed according to the costumes of the Ming Dynasty.

But no matter who is in the play, no matter the size of the role, what kind of clothes to wear, there are special rules. "Better wear bad than wrong" is the main dressing principle of Peking Opera. Because Beijing Opera costumes are designed for performances, in order to exaggerate and beautify the effect, some costumes have changed their shapes on the basis of the original appearance of life, mainly to cooperate with or strengthen the dance movements of Beijing Opera.

Clothing and paraphernalia (of an actor/actress)

Beijing Opera costumes, including pythons, reclining chairs, pants, pleats, helmets, boots, shoes, and all accessories, are placed in wardrobe boxes such as suitcases, suitcases, suitcases, helmet boxes, etc. Based on ancient daily life clothes, dress according to roles and industries, not limited by times, regions and seasons; There are no clothes specially designed for a certain role, but clothes that can be used in many plays.

Types of Peking Opera Clothing

Python

The clothes commonly used by emperors and other high-ranking figures have python patterns similar to dragon patterns, with only one paw missing. The four-claw dragon is called "python", hence its name. The pattern is mainly dragon and sea tooth, and the colors are divided into five colors (positive color) and five colors (secondary color); The five colors above refer to red, green, yellow, white and black, while the five colors below refer to purple, pink (red), blue, lake and fragrance. Color has a specific meaning, which comes from the type of characters.

Embroidered cloak (worn on a woman's shoulder)

Double-breasted robes with sleeves are casual clothes worn by emperors, dignitaries or rich gentry. The whole body is embroidered with Ping Jin or wool. Male and female flower buds are generally used for couples, called "lovers' flower buds", which have the overall beauty of the stage picture. Royal members use yellow, the top scholar takes the exam, the wedding celebration uses red, the elderly use Qiu Xiangse, and the rest of the characters are not limited.

rely on

Military commanders wear uniforms, also known as armor. According to different status, there are two pieces, connected from top to bottom, with armor patterns, but not close to the body. It is a kind of "separated" clothing. Quietly endowing the characters with mighty spirit, while moving is convenient for exaggerating dance movements, which embodies the artistic characteristics of Beijing opera costume dance. The back is tied with a "back pot" and a triangular "oblique flag", which has a sense of expansion extending outward. Can be divided into male and female, hard and soft, improved.

crease

Oblique collar dress is the most common dress on the stage of Beijing Opera. It belongs to casual clothes, which can be worn by civil and military, noble and low, men and women, old and young. Simple multi-functional clothes can be used for external use alone, or they can be worn together with pythons, pythons and arrow clothes as a suit. Color pleats are embroidered with colored threads into animals, flowers and birds, etc. Plain pleats are mostly black and blue, and they are worn according to the type of characters.

dress

Except for pythons, lying, squatting and pleating, other clothes are collectively called clothes. Clothes are divided into long clothes and short clothes. The main types of long clothes are: casual clothes for military commanders and powerful ministers in non-ceremonial occasions (military and home), with atmospheric clothing pattern design and prominent character style; Palace clothes belong to the clothes worn by concubines and princesses in the harem. Although elegant, it is not suitable for solemn and grand scenes, and its level is lower than that of pythons. The official dress is the official dress of the China court, and it is also used for the groom and the new champion. The chest and back are decorated with square "patches" and the waist is tied with a jade belt. Arrow suit, a kind of light military uniform, is widely worn by emperors, military commanders and heroes.

jacket

Usually, short clothes are suitable for martial arts roles, which are mainly divided into: hugging clothes, also called fighting clothes or heroic clothes, which are relatively compact and like to be hugged on the body, so they are called hugging clothes and hugging pants, which are suitable for knights and outlaws; Clothes are also called fast clothes, and they are also used for heroes; Mandarin jacket was first used in Qing dynasty, and later became a unique military uniform, which could be worn by any dynasty. Coats, skirts, overcoats and trousers are common girls' clothes, while battle coats and skirts are used in the role of workers in wudan.

Beggar's robe

Also known as rags. A large number of irregular variegated pieces of cloth are embroidered on green pleats or tsing yi, which shows that the characters in the play are ragged and poor. Because the characters wearing this kind of clothes in the play will be very prominent and rich in the future, this kind of clothes is also called rich clothes.

Subsidiary part

Vest, also known as vest, is a sleeveless garment. A long vest is called a big vest, and a short vest is called a small vest. Cloak is a kind of sleeveless coat that is windproof and cold-proof, and the hem is like a big clock, so it is also called a clock; Sleeves are rectangular white spun silk sewn at the ends of pythons, trousers, pleats and short sleeves. Shake it like a water ripple, and it's still beautiful visually.

A headdress worn by an opera singer

All kinds of crowns and hats worn in China traditional operas. Due to different materials and different gender, age, status and status of the figures in hats, they are divided into hard crowns, helmets and soft hats. Top hats crowned by emperors and nobles, such as Kowloon Crown and Phoenix Crown; Helmet is a hat worn by people in Wuzhi to protect their heads when fighting, such as the owner's helmet; Hats are the most miscellaneous, hard and soft, such as gauze hats; A towel is a kind of casual cap worn at home. There are square towels and towels outside the staff

Boots and shoes

Thick-soled boots are three or four inches thick, similar to dwarf music, and often paired with pythons and other costumes, which can make the role look majestic and burly; Thin soles, also known as quick boots, are worn by Wu Sheng and Wu Dan, and are easy to use. Confucius shoes, also known as Fu Zi shoes, are mostly worn by old people and old women. Colored shoes are shoes worn by ordinary women, with round ears nailed to the toe; Flag shoes are also called the bottom of flowerpots, and toes and heels are suspended; Woven nets are made of cloth, bread and wood, mainly to meet the feet of women with three inches of golden lotus.

Make up/make up/make up/make up/make up/configure/make up/make up (a bed)

Junpai is a kind of beautiful makeup in Beijing Opera, also called rouge makeup, which wipes the face with rouge to show that the characters in the play are correct and delicate. Sticking a mask is sticking a wig on your cheek.

Both sides should modify the face shape; Pulling the head is to lift the corner of the eye with a belt to appear sacred; Mouth is a beard, which mainly shows the age or personality of the character, and can also be played with.

Convey feelings, with different lengths and black and gray colors.

Every drama has its own characteristics, so do costumes, which represent the whole drama tradition.